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State of New Hampshire

TANF State Plan

5 New Hampshire State Plan Effective October 2023 database and delivered to individual electronic files, accessible from all District Offices by pertinent staff. Prior paper eligibility records were scanned and delivered to individual e-files for access and ongoing record keeping. The database is accessible through the New HEIGHTS eligibility system, and documents are sorted both by the case they belong to and by the worker assigned to that case. Workers have an electronic dashboard that tracks the number of unprocessed documents in the database. The digitalization of District Office client files allows DHHS a greater degree of administrative efficiency managing caseloads and offers clients an enhanced level of access to their file information regarding application and eligibility, where recipients can report changes and upload verifications directly to their case through their NH Easy account. If an applicant is having difficulty providing verifications, the Family Services Specialist can make a collateral contact for verification. If that is not possible, DHHS has the flexibility, as needed for alternatives, such as a signed declaration.

New Hampshire defines “family” as one or more adults and children who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption, as well as children living under the care of an unrelated court appointed guardian who reside in the same home.

To be eligible for any of the financial programs offered under the TANF program, families must have an eligible dependent child, and the eligible dependent child must meet all of the following categorical criteria: live with a specified relative, deprivation of support or care of a parent, and meet the age requirement. Assistance groups are comprised of all children who are blood, adoptive, or step-related siblings, provided they, live with a specified relative; are under the age of 18 or are under age 20 and are full-time students in a secondary school or its equivalent; meet all nonfinancial criteria for TANF; and are deprived of parental support or care. A child is considered deprived of the support or care of a parent when a parent has died; there is continued absence of a parent from the home; or there is a physical or mental incapacity of a parent. More information regarding an eligible dependent child is located in the Family Assistance Manual under: Section 207.03 - Eligible Dependent Child as requirement for TANF Section 207.05 - Living with a Specified Relative Section 207.07 - Dependent Children who are Student (18 or 19 year olds) Section 207.09 - Deprivation of the Support or Care of a Parent Section 207.11 - When a Dependent Child Reaches Maximum Age Section 207.13 - Verifications needed for of an Eligible Dependent Child

All natural, adoptive, and step-related parents of the children must also be included in the assistance group. For eligible families with unmarried cohabitating adults who share a common child, the cohabitating adult and the common child(ren)’s income, resources, and needs are considered when determining eligibility however the minor “common” child and cohabitating adult are “counted” in the assistance group (AG) and not considered TANF recipients. More specific information regarding household composition is in the Family Assistance Manual under Composition of Assistance: Section 211.01 - Who Must Be Members Section 211.03 - Disqualified Individuals Section 211.09 - Who May Be Members Section 211.11- Who is Not a Member

A child is not deprived of parental support or care when the parents share 50/50 custody of the child(ren). More information regarding deprivation and eligibility requirements for TANF is located under Section 209 of the Family Assistance Manual: Section 209.01-Eligibility Requirements